Abandoned Rails: White Plains to Indian Head

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These former Long Island RR commuter coaches are stored for the defunct "Indian Head Central" near White Plains. The IHC operated trains but did not buy the tracks. The track at the far right is the "main line". Photo by Mike Palmer, May 2003.

While the Indian Head Central trains are no longer in operation, this line is not technically abandoned. While no trains have operated over it for a couple of years, there are plans to resume freight service in the future. An SW8 (#2037) has been purchased by the Government, with plans for it to be refurbished. (Thanks to Josh at the Indian Head Naval Warfare center for this updated information).

The US Navy operated this branch line in Charles County, Maryland, that runs from the CSX (formerly Pennsylvania RR) Popes Creek Secondary from White Plains, past Rasmussens Siding to the Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station on the east bank of the Potomac River. The tracks were intact and the grade crossing signs and signals are still all in place as of spring 2003.

The now defunct Indian Head Central leased the tracks for tourist / passenger service for a couple of years. The IHC posted a few signs at crossings along the right of way, but there is no currently operating passenger or freight trains. The FP10 that they had used is now stored at the power plant near Morgantown.

Some of this line was being dismantled in January 2008, according to a news item in Railpace magazine, March 2008, page 9. Evidently the Indian Head Central dinner train only ran for a year around 2000.

The entire line was pulled up early in 2008 except for a short segment at the Navy base. By June 2009 it had been completely paved by the county and opened as a trail. Signs were erected along the trail that tell the story of the railroad.

The LIRR coaches were unrepairable and scrapped. The yard in which they sat for years (White Plains) is now a parking lot. The FP10 at the Morgantown power plant was removed in 2009, as I recall.

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White Plains to Indian Head

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